Personal Experience

Over the last five years, Jessica has gained environment and planning experience including providing advice and litigation support in relation to:

• Planning pathways for developments of all sizes pursuant to the Environment and Planning Act 1979 including:
  • Exempt and complying development under State Environmental Planning Policies including the Education SEPP, the Infrastructure SEPP, and the Codes SEPP.
  • Support in relation to Part 4 approvals, including Class 1 development appeals to the Land and Environment Court.
  • Legal reviews of Review of Environmental Factors and other Part 5 self-determining questions.
• Compulsory acquisitions for both NSW Government and private clients for numerous infrastructure projects pursuant to the Land Acquisition (Just Terms Compensation) Act 1991 at all stages of the acquisition process including pre-and post-acquisition.
• Waste and contamination advice pursuant to Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 and the Contaminated Land Management Act 1997 including:
  • Providing support in responding to EPA notices and requests for information
  • Advice regarding compliance with the NSW Waste Regulations
• Neighbour disputes including trees, fences, easements and the drafting of submissions against proposed developments.
• Other specific environment and planning issues including existing use rights, vegetation and biodiversity offsetting, fire safety statements and orders, heritage conservation, etc

In 2017 Jessica was seconded to provide legal advice on natural resources and water law within the NSW government.

A passionate advocate for sustainability and environmental issues, Jessica shares her knowledge and experience as a tutor in the postgraduate Sustainable Development and the Urban Environment course through UNSW Built Environment.